Football Nightmare
Matt Christopher Sports Series for Kids
on Goodreads (141)
What’s inside...
Having dropped a pass and made his football team miss having an undefeated season, thirteen-year-old Keith fears that he will continue to make bad mistakes and wonders if he should continue playing football. A miserable memory dogs Keith's every move as he dropped the game-winning, undefeated-record-making pass that would have made him a hero instead of a loser. Now, a year later, that missed pass still haunts him, so much so that he's considering quitting football for good. His friends and family finally convince him to stick with it, but Keith's troubles are far from over. Another player is out for his position and seems determined to do everything he can to keep the dropped pass memory alive in the minds of the whole team - including Keith. Can Keith overcome his own obsession with the past and succeed in the present?
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
128 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Nick Sullivan
Discussion points
What do you think made the main character feel like they were experiencing a nightmare in football?
How did the character's feelings change throughout the story, and what events influenced these changes?
If you were in the main character's shoes, how would you handle the challenges they faced?
What does teamwork mean to you, and how do you see it demonstrated in the book?
Can you think of a time when you felt like the main character? How did you manage your feelings?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to share personal experiences that relate to the protagonist's challenges and achievements.
Highlight the importance of perseverance and teamwork as discussed in the book, and relate it to real-life situations in your child's activities.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings to the book based on different choices the characters might make.
Discuss the moral of the story and its application to everyday life, reinforcing the values with personal examples.
Create a fun environment for discussion by arranging a 'post-game' snack time, mirroring a football game theme.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: In 'Football Nightmare', the protagonist learns the importance of working together with his teammates to overcome challenges on the field.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to collaborate with peers in group projects or sports, understanding that collective effort often leads to success.
Example Lesson: Dealing with Failure
Explanation: The book showcases the main character facing setbacks and learning to cope with losses without giving up.
Real-World Application: This teaches children resilience and the ability to bounce back from disappointments, whether it's a bad grade or a lost game, knowing these are opportunities for growth.
Example Lesson: Importance of Hard Work
Explanation: The protagonist's improvement in football skills throughout the book highlights the rewards of consistent effort and practice.
Real-World Application: Children learn that persistence and dedication in any activity, like their studies or hobbies, can lead to noticeable improvements and achievements.
Example Lesson: Sportsmanship
Explanation: Characters in the story demonstrate good sportsmanship by treating competitors with respect, regardless of the game's outcome.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the value of respect and fair play in all interactions, not just in sports, fostering healthier relationships.
Example Lesson: Setting and Achieving Goals
Explanation: The main character sets specific goals to improve his football performance, which drives his actions and decisions.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to set their own achievable goals, whether in academics, extracurricular activities, or personal development, teaching them planning and goal-setting skills.